The tepid enthusiasm of the atic criticism of "Alf's But, ton", the first British talking firn to be presented in Shanghai, will have been judged to reflect the moderate success achieved by that production, which Shanghai owes to the enterprise of the management of the rand Theatre. It will be conceded that the play on which the film is based had a vogue in condi far better British talking films to be obtainable before very long. Yet, making all allowances for th weakness of the play, "Alf's Button" shows that British technique still much to learn from Hollywood. The acting and the elocution of the cast were of a high standard but there is in the photography a lack of the finish to be discerned in the best American films. British film produced in a British studio but they will not be assisting in their process if they ignore the necessity for conforming to standards set up by the skill and experience of the pioneers in the craft:
The New Ambassador The appointment of Sir Francis bassador to Tokyo in succession to Sir John Tilley is a commendable Selection, Not only does Sir Franeis rank high in the British diplo matic service with a record well fitting him to occupy the most important post in the Far East, but the appointment continues that cultural connection which so long. hhaz been the distinguishing characteristic of British Ambassadors to JJapan.* Sir Charles Eliot, who occupied this post during 1919-1925 was an Orientalist and a_ linguist of great renown, and in addition to speaking fluently most of the Europ-tean tongues he had an intimate Knowledge of about 20 Oriental [dialects and was a profound Bud-diiist scholar and an authority om Sanscrit. His educational qualifications were high and before proceeding to Tokyo he was Vice-Chancellor of Sheffield University and at one time Principal of Hongkong Uni versity. Sir John Tilley maintained this continuity of cultural distineion and Sir Francis ey's qualifications eminently fit him for lineal succession, His long service the Near East and his scholarly Jattributes which gained him special allowances for, among other sub-Jects, his knowledge of Persian and Arabic, will assist. him to maintain the lustre of this post where such special qualities ax British presentatives have held for so many years are sources of great esteem in the eyes of the people,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.